Look past the mint juleps and magnolias, the grace and good manners. Forget about the sultry drawls and the beautiful belles. Hidden behind the sweet-as-honey smiles and the "yes, ma'ams" and "no,sirs," there's a sinister side of the South that you may not have seen-until now. Do you know how best to react when you overhear your own flesh and blood plotting your murder? Agatha Award-winner Joan Hess gives you a clue. Have you ever met an obituary writer with a disturbing obessession? In Terry Kay's story, you will. Do you sometimes wonder just how far a wronged widow will go for revenge? After reading Michael Malone's tale, you'll know. Have you ever been in the middle of a murder investigation in steamy Atlanta? Thomas H. Cook puts you there. In this collection of never-before-published fiction, the twelve esteemed authors listed below expose the shrewdest characters and cleverest crimes in the South. Thomas H. Cook, Jeffery Deaver, Mickey Friedman, Joan Hess, Terry Kay, Dean James, Bret Lott, Michael Malone, Margaret Maron, Sarah Shankman, Julie Smith and Steven Womack.